Wendy Stamps

National Scrapbooking Month Kick-Off Event!

National Scrapbooking Month Kick-Off Event!

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Apr 30   Eastern

Let's get together at this open house to kick off National Scrapbooking Month! Join other scrapbookers for make and takes, scrapbooking demonstrations, design challenge, prizes and more! Space is limited for this event, so RSVP early to save your spot! Please bring your favorite scissors, adhesive and a 5 X 7 printed photo of one of your favorite people for the challenge.

Here is a sneak peak of the Mother's Day All-Occassion Card Caddy Class project you can make on May 8th.  More details to follow!

 

Happy Stamping AND Scrapbooking!

Wendy

Scrapbook Purse

I love purses and bags... just ask my husband!  I've tried over the years to combine my love of paper crafting and scrapbooking with my love of bags with mixed results.  The bags would look good, but weren't always sturdy enough for everyday use.

A few months ago, I was in a craft store and saw a woman carrying a gorgeous bag made with a studio photograph of her son.  I asked her about it and she said she got it where she had the photos taken.  That got me thinking... if I could make a scrapbook layout and scan it, could I get a bag made, too???

Well, the answer is YES!  I spent some time online researching different manufacturers.  I really liked the bags at www.snaptotes.com and www.costcophotocenter.com . I chose the medium bucket bag.

Next I had to make a layout to use on the purse.  I spoke with a customer service rep and asked about the dimensions of the photos and was told that a 4" X 6" photo, or one with the same aspect ratio, in a landscape orientation was what was needed.  Now, I don't know about you, but I was not up to making a 4" X 6" scrapbook layout!  I did a little math and came up with a better size to work with - 6" tall by 9" wide.  This worked great and I didn't lose much of the layout around the edges.

Here is the original layout:

I wanted to showcase this photo of the boys taken on our boat on the 4th of July.  The new Pacific Point In Color cardstock was perfect paired with Real Red and Basic Black.  I stamped the word "enjoy" in Pacific Poin, Real Red and Basic Black Classic Ink and cut around the letters.  For the "o" in "enjoy" I used a circle polka dot stamp and punched it out with a circle punch.  I matted the photo in Basic Black and stamped a polka dot background stamp on the Real Red cardstock.

I wanted to add some dimension, so I punched out a tab using the round tab punch and added that to the edge of the photo.  Two buttons adhered with mini glue dots and a strip of rub-on stitching complete the embellishement.

I wanted the phrase "every moment" to stand out, so I stamped it in Versamark and embossed with White Embossing Powder.

Once the layout was complete, I scanned it and sent it off... that's it!  Here's a closer pic of the finished product:

Because the bag is rounded, you can't see the entire title in the picture.  But rest assured, it's there!  I am very pleased with the quality of the bag and it is holding up very well.  I've even got a few spots on it and been able to wash the surface with a damp cloth.

If you make a bag of your own, be prepared for lots of feedback... so many people have asked me about my bag!  I love telling them about my boys, and my love of all things scrapbooking.

I hope you've enjoyed the details of this project.  If you have any questions, please drop me a line.  I'd also love any feedback, so please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Happy Stamping,

Wendy

Julz Layout

My oldest son, Julian, has been known in our family for years as "Jules".  Recently, his friends in Middle School have started calling him "Jules" and he has come up with a new way to spell it - JULZ. 

I took these pictures of him on the Fourth of July and as I looked at them it came to me that he is truly himself.  He owns that "z"!  The journaling reads:

At 13 you are completely yourself... you are truly Julz!

For this layout I wanted to use Pacific Point, one of the new In Colors, to coordinate with the water in the background.  I love to add a pop of real red when using blues and pulled in the basic black from his T-shirt.

I matted each photo in basic black and used a white signo uniball gel pen to add the corner accents.  I stamped and cut out the letters for the title.  The circles were either punched out with circle punches (for the two smaller sizes) or cut on the Colluzzle (for the larger ones).  I tied a piece of striped red and white ribbon in a knot to add more texture and interest.  Finally, a small row of white accents below the ribbon came from rub ons.

This layout really gets me thinking about my first-born.  In another year he will be in highschool and I'm sure that will go too fast.  I have another layout I did of him with a picture from last summer that I will try to post after I get home.  He has grown and changed so much since then.  Where does the time go?

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

Sun Fun 12"X12" Layout

Here is a layout I put together for Scrapbooking Club.  I pulled the color scheme from the Eastcoast Prep Double Sided Designer Series papers.  The colors are so vibrant and embody the essence of summer - the hot sun, cool water, bright beach toys.

I started with a piece of 12"X 12" Tempting Turquoise paper.  I layered a 2 3/4" X 12" strip of the diamond patterned paper from the DSDSP on a 3" X 12" strip of More Mustard cardstock.  I matted the two photos with Old Olive cardstock.

The medallions were super-easy to put together.  I stamped the sun, "Sun Fun" title, and fish on Whisper White and punched out with the 1 1/4" circle punch.  These pieces were layered on top of 1 3/8" circles and finally on scalloped circles.  A length of Real Red wide grossgrain ribbon is wrapped around the layout towards the bottom and tied in a simple knot.

The real fun of this layout is the nifty pocket that holds a card for journaling.  I got this idea at a Stampin' Up! Regional seminar a few years ago.  The pocket is easy to create.  Seal an envelope and slice off one end of it to create the pocket.  Adhere the envelope to the back of the layout.  Use a circle punch to cut a notch through the layout and envelope to make taking the card out easier.

I used our notecards for the card.  I layered the dotted pattern on a scrap of More Mustard, created another medallion to coordinate with the medallions on the front, and punched out a tab using our tab punch and Real Red cardstock. 

I haven't had a chance to add the journaling, but when I do it will read something like this:

Ben was born a beach boy.  He loves to play in the surf and sand for hours at a time.  All he needs is a bucket and a boat to find complete happiness.  July 4, 2008 City Bay Beach

We made another layout at the meeting.  Contact me if you are interested in joining our Scrapbooking Club or if you want information about how you can get these monthly layouts by mail.

We should be home and back on the boat by this weekend.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather - it's been raining at home all week!

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

A Friendly Layout

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Designer Series Double Sided Papers???  If not, then let me take this opportunity to fill you in... I LOVE these papers! 

This Friends layout is one that I made in anticipation of a weekend visit with my best friend.  I would do my best to capture a picture worthy of these gorgeous colors that represents what my best friend means to me! 

This layout uses simple strips of the Fall Flowers papers - using strips makes the paper last even longer and lets me use multiple patterns on one project!  For the solid cardstock, I pulled in colors from the patterned papers - Sahara Sand, Really Rust and Soft Sky.  The finishing touch was created with Double Stitched Grossgrain Ribbon in Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava.  Now I just need to get my picture and journaling added and this Friendly Layout will be complete!

Remember the special holiday class I'm so excited about?  Here's a hint for you... the projects feature Designer Series Double Sided Papers!  Wahooooo!  I can't wait to give you a sneak peek!